Your News - Spring edition 2017

INSIDE
DON’T BE A VICTIM OF DOORSTEP CRIME • EMPTY HOMES BROUGHT BACK INTO USE
A MAGAZINE FOR NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL TENANTS
Newsham
MATTERS
YOUR VOTE
- use it or lose it
SPRING 2017

4
DON’T BE A VICTIM
OF DOORSTEP CRIME
FOREWORD
Welcome to the Spring
edition of Your News,
which focuses on
investments made
by the council to help
improve the communities
in which you live.
8
EMPTY HOMES BROUGHT
BACK INTO USE
The word community means a group
of people who live in the same area
and who have a shared interest or a
common goal.
As a council we are committed
to working with our tenants and
partners to create welcoming
communities you can be proud
of and live in.
One of the ways we try to achieve
this ambition is by investing to
improve our estates with
improvement projects, such as
those at The Oval in Newsham.
We couldn’t do this without your
co-operation. Projects like Newsham
Community Matters aim to bring a
community together, to develop a
scheme, which can improve the lives
of everyone in the area. Hopefully,
this pilot will help us to develop our
approach and we may then replicate
this in other areas.
A community is also about taking
care of each other, whether that’s
looking in on an elderly or vulnerable
neighbour, or reporting suspicious
activities in your estate, such as
door-to-door callers or anti-social
behaviour.
We all have a part to play in making
Northumberland a happy place to
live and we welcome your support
and involvement.
Allan Hepple, cabinet member
for housing at the council
14
SOLID FUEL
16
GET YOUR KIDS DAY OFF
TO A HEALTHY START
FRONT COVER IMAGE:
Spring fun at
Whitehouse Farm Centre.
YOUR HOUSING
MANAGEMENT
TEAM IS ON
THE MOVE
The team, currently based at Blyth Civic Centre,
is moving to a new home at Compass House
in the centre of Blyth, following the sale of the
civic centre.
Compass House, as with the Civic
Centre will not be open to the public
but we intend to improve access to
our services by offering meetings by
appointment.
No set date has been agreed for the
move but we anticipate that it will
take place in May.
If you need to access the team
or have a housing management
enquiry, you should continue to
call our Contact Centre on
01670 542424 or call into one
of our Information Centres.
on page 19.
2
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

NEW BUNGALOW
brings back memories for tenant
“The bungalow is
going to make things so
much easier for us, we are
really impressed with it. As
time passes and we get older,
we will now have a house
which will hopefully suit
our needs.”
New tenants have now moved into a
development of bungalows in Blyth.
Rita Railton
And for Rita Railton opening the
doors to her newly built bungalow,
on the site of the former Morpeth
Road school, was like stepping
back in time.
The 70-year-old is a former pupil
of the school and grew up on the
nearby Cowpen Road. The old
school railings now also border
her back garden
She said: “It’s like I’ve come full
circle. The bungalow is going to
make things so much easier for
us, we are really impressed with
it. As time passes and we get older,
we will now have a house which will
hopefully suit our needs.”
The £2.8m development is part of
the council’s Affordable Homes
programme and is made up of
26 two-bedroom bungalows,
two of which have been built to
accommodate wheelchair access.
The bungalows are part of a focus
on affordable housing by the
council, which has seen more than
300 new homes being built across
the county in the last three years.
Northumberland County Councillor
Allan Hepple, cabinet member for
housing said: “The lack of affordable
housing is one of the biggest issues
facing people in Northumberland
and the council has placed a strong
emphasis on building new
affordable homes.
“It’s fantastic to see the tenants
moving into their new homes, which
are helping local people, such as the
Railtons, stay in the communities
they know and love.”
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017
3

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS
DON’T BE A VICTIM
OF DOORSTEP CRIME
Northumberland Trading Standards
Service is warning residents to be
aware of bogus door to door callers.
These callers may offer services
such as garden maintenance and
home repairs, or try to sell you
products. Fish sellers are a common
complaint for Trading Standards.
Rogue door to door sellers target
vulnerable or elderly tenants, who
may feel intimidated or pressured
into buying from them or agreeing
to have work carried out in their
home or garden.
They often have a good “story” to tell
and can be very persuasive. Once
to get them to leave. Tenants should
also be aware that in some cases
some people have been subject to
distraction burglary after allowing
these sellers into their home.
Typically the work carried out is of
a low standard, people are charged
an excessive amount for work done
or they fail to complete the work
altogether even when they have
been paid to do it. Complaints about
show you a small amount of quality
product, but leave you with a large
amount of lower quality product,
for which you may be charged a lot
of money.
Remember
if you are unsure
call the Citizens
Advice Consumer
Helpline on
03454 04
05 06
You may also end up on a “suckers
list” where your details could be
passed around to other rogue
traders. As a result you may then
receive an increased number of
calls and visits to your home.
If you
have elderly
neighbours or
relatives be aware
that they may be
vulnerable to rogue
traders so pass on
these tips and
advice.
4
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS
NORTHUMBERLAND TRADING STANDARDS
SERVICE ARE HERE TO HELP WITH SOME
TIPS AND ADVICE:
If you are unsure about the service being offered, you should always
take the time to think. Ask for a business card and say that you will
contact the trader rather than agreeing to work immediately.
For home maintenance or gardening services it may be better to ask
a friend or neighbour for a recommendation for a tradesperson they
have used.
Look for businesses on the Business Approval Register
www.businessapprovalregister.com. This is a directory of
businesses providing home improvements and professional
services, providing a safer way to choose a tradesperson.
about a door to door caller report it immediately. Contact the police
via the 101 emergency number or call the Citizens Advice
Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 for further advice.
Avoid allowing someone you do not know into your home and use
a door chain if possible.
Never agree to take someone to your bank to withdraw money to
pay for goods or services.
Staff in most high street banks are now trained to
look out for any suspicious withdrawals
Fish sellers need a licence to sell door to door, so ask for evidence
of this.
Place a no cold callers sign in your window
(please cut out the sign provided)
PHONE AND EMAIL SCAMS
Be wary of letters,phonecalls
or emails asking for personal
information, such as bank
account numbers, login details
or passwords. Sometimes emails
may look convincing but banks
and Government departments
such as HMRC would not ask for
your personal details in this way.
Never respond to letters or
emails asking for you to send
money to an account. Even if an
email is from someone in your
contacts, their account could
have been hacked, so always
Be wary of letters, e-mails or
phonecalls which tell you you
have won a prize, especially if
they are asking you to send
money or call a premium rate
number in order to claim this
prize. Remember if it seems too
good to be true, it probably is.
If you are still unsure call the
Citizens Advice Consumer
Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.
CUT OUT YOUR NO COLD CALLERS SIGN HERE
We DO NOT deal with
COLD CALLERS
PLEASE LEAVE AND DO NOT RETURN
Failure to do so is a criminal offence
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

ELECTIONS
Local Elections:
‘THEY’RE ON YOUR
DOORSTEP’
Deadline
to register
Thursday
13 April
Elections
take place
Thursday
4 May
Northumberland County Council and local Parish and
Town Council Elections take place on Thursday 4 May.
This is your opportunity to choose who decides, on
your behalf, what happens in your area and for the
people of Northumberland.
To be able to vote, you must be
registered and registering to vote
is easy. You can do it in just a few
minutes at gov.uk/register-to-vote.
You’ll need to provide your National
Insurance number, your date of birth
and your address. Thursday 13 April
is the deadline to register to vote,
so don’t miss out!
If you have moved house or recently
moved into Northumberland, you
may not be on the Electoral Register.
If you are unclear about whether
or not you are on the register call
01670 624811 or email
elections@northumberland.gov.uk
If you can’t vote in person you can
still have your say with a postal vote
or, if this doesn’t suit your needs, a
proxy vote (where a person you trust
votes on your behalf). Go to
yourvotematters.co.uk
Make your vote count in this year’s local Elections.
#OnYourDoorstep
how to apply, or contact Electoral
Services on the details above to
request an application form.
Once you have registered you will
receive a polling card which advises
you that you either have a postal
vote or give the details of the polling
station where you should attend on
the 4 May. If you have chosen to
vote by post, you will receive your
postal vote within the month of April.
6
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

BE PREPARED
for UNIVERSAL
CREDIT
Universal credit, the new
benefit for working age
people, who on are a low
income or out of work, is
being introduced in stages
across the country.
one payment, which will be paid
directly into your bank account.
This means that if you are entitled
to help with your rent, (i.e. you are
money will be included in your
Universal Credit payment and paid
directly to you. Unlike before, you
will be responsible for paying your
rent and making sure you don’t fall
into arrears.
Remember your rent is due weekly
usually pays four weekly in arrears.
This means that once Universal Credit
starts you will be behind on your rent
by four weeks.
It is vital that you pay your rent on
time every week, failure to do so
could lead to legal action being
taken against you.
The easiest way to pay your rent is
via Direct Debit, see details above
on how to set up a direct debit. You
can also pay by Standing Order, contact
our Customer Contact Centre for a
form, by telephone or pay online at
www.northumberland.gov.uk
If you are having issues paying your
rent then please contact us and we
can help to set up a payment plan.
If you receive a letter about your
rent from us, don’t ignore it – the
problem won’t go away. It is always
best to discuss your problems
with us so that we understand the
have a chance to help you.
Housing
Benefit
Incomerelated
Employment
and Support
Allowance
Please
don’t wait for
the changes to
happen. You need
to start getting
prepared
now.
Child
Tax
Credit
Income
Support
MONEY MATTERS
Working
Tax
Credit
The six benefits
Universal credit
will replace
JSA
We are waiting to hear when Universal Credit is to be introduced
more widely in Northumberland. But please don’t wait for the
changes to happen. You need to start getting prepared now.
1 Open a bank account: even if you have a poor credit rating, you can
open a ‘Basic Bank Account’ Go to a local bank and they will help you.
It is very important that you pay your rent and it is paid on time. You do
not want to get into debt. The easiest way to pay your rent is by Direct
www.directdebit.co.uk or speak to your bank.
Alternatively you can open a ‘Jam Jar’ account with a credit union. Jam
Jar accounts work by splitting the money that enters your account into
different ‘jars’. You can have different jars for different expenses. For
example you can have a rent, water, saving or food jar. You can set how
much money you want to go into each jar so that you know you will
have enough money to cover those expenses.
2 Get on the internet: You will have to make your application for
Northumberland where you can use a computer for free, such as your
local job centre and library and learn how to get online. Call us on
0345 600 6400
3 Set up a direct debit to pay your rent: this means you won’t have to
remember to pay your rent on time as it will be taken from your
account automatically. Your bank can help you do this. Once you have
set up your Direct Debit, you can ask us about changing the date you
pay your rent to the day you receive your Universal Credit payment.
This will mean that your rent will come out of your account the same
day you receive your Universal Credit payment.
4 Come and talk to us: If you have any questions or concerns about
Universal Credit one of our friendly advisors can help explain the
process and how it will affect you in the future. Just call in at your
local council customer information centre or ring 01670 542424.
Alternatively your local Citizens Advice Bureau will be able to help.
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017
7

AFFORDABLE HOUSING
EMPTY HOMES
BROUGHT BACK
INTO USE
Empty homes across
Northumberland will
be brought back into
use thanks to a
project being delivered
by the council.
Thirty homes from across the county
will be repaired and released back
onto the rental market, using a
£750,000 grant from the Homes
and Communities Agency’s (HCA)
Affordable Housing programme.
The council is working with owners,
who currently have homes which
have been empty for two years or
more, to identify the homes to be
included in the scheme.
Each home will be assessed in
terms of its viability, such as
cost of repair work, future rental
potential, housing need in the
area and the impact of it remaining
empty on a community.
Using an Empty Dwelling Management
Order (EDMO). The council will take
over the management of up to
25 empty homes. Using the grant
these homes would be returned to a
habitable condition and rented out.
The council will also purchase a
then be refurbished and once rented,
would be managed by Homes for
Northumberland.
It is hoped that repair work to the
homes will be complete next year
with each being available to rent
no later than 2018.
Northumberland County Council’s
business chair, Scott Dickinson, said:
“Empty properties can have a negative
impact on the sustainability of an
area, affecting everything from local
businesses to public services, such
as schools and transport.
“Thanks to this funding from the
HCA, we will now be able to work
with owners to identify properties,
which could be given a new lease
of life and become a much-needed
family home.”
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YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

AFFORDABLE HOUSING
MILLIONS
INVESTED
in Blyth estate
A multi-million pound scheme
to rejuvenate a Blyth estate is
nearing completion.
The work is
expected to be
completed by
the end of
March.
More than 350 homes in The Oval
area of Newsham and New Delaval
have seen their garden walls replaced,
and new streetlights installed.
The properties have also been
re-rendered and new guttering
The council has invested £2.9m
into the scheme of environmental
services.
Roads in the estate will also be
resurfaced and a front canopy
placed on a number of properties.
The majority of the homes in the
estate are managed by Homes for
Northumberland, the council’s
housing management team,
alongside a number of owneroccupiers.
Northumberland County Councillor
and ward member Deidre Campbell
helped to initiate the project.
She said: “It’s fantastic to see the
project almost at completion. The
transformation of the estate is
wonderful, and tenants I have
spoken to are really happy with
the work.
“The estate was looking old and
tired but this work has given it a
new lease of life. If an area looks
good it makes you feel better about
the place.”
Gordon Webb, chair of the council’s
housing working group, added:
“There were
some issues with
anti-social behaviour in this area,
but hopefully the community will
now take more pride in the estate.”
Northumberland County Councillor
Allan Hepple, cabinet member for
housing said: “This major investment
is part of our ongoing commitment
to improving the lives of our tenants.
“We hope that there will be a positive
impact, not only to their community,
but to the area as a whole.
“As a council we ensure that all our
homes meet the Decent Homes
standard. Improving the appearance
of our estates is a natural
progression of this work.”
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017
9

INFORMATION
Working with
LANDLORDS
Did you know that the council is working
with landlords in your area to help to
improve standards across our estates?
Working with private owners is key
to ensuring that all homes in your
community are a decent condition.
We offer a range of support and
services to encourage landlords and
owners to look after their properties
This includes an accreditation scheme
which offers a free tenant check, and
a Rent Deposit Guarantee scheme.
The council is committed to working
with landlords, property owners and
agents to improve standards in
rented housing across the county.
HERE’S HOW WE CAN HELP IN MORE DETAIL:
WHAT’S ON OFFER
The accreditation scheme was introduced to offer responsible
landlords with a free reference checking service for tenants,the
same way we reference check our own tenants, to make tenancies
more sustainable and to minimise the risk of failing tenancies.
WHAT WE NEED
To access the scheme there are a
number of things we require from
landlords including; all the
Electrical and Energy); building
insurance and proof of a buy to let
mortgage.
Once we receive these we will do an
inspection of the property to ensure
there are no health and safety risks.
WHAT A LANDLORD GETS
including arrears checks and
previous landlord reference
your gas, electrical or energy
accredited
promoting your properties as
a responsible landlord
10
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

INFORMATION
RENT DEPOSIT GUARANTEE
SCHEME (RDGS)
Once a property has been assessed
and accepted into the accreditation
scheme, the RDGS is available to
tenants, who are unable to raise the
funds through other means, to help
them secure a property in the
private rented sector.
The bond guarantee can be claimed
upon by landlords at the end of a
tenancy (up to 12 months) if there
has been damage to the property or
rent arrears. Both parties must be in
agreement before a bond guarantee
can be signed.
This scheme allows properties to be
let more quickly. Tenants will
be expected to save up over the
period of the tenancy in order to
repay the council in case of any
claim being made.
TRAINING COURSES
AND LANDLORD FORUMS
Working alongside the National Landlord’s Association, Newcastle City
Council and North Tyneside Council we offer a range of training courses
for landlords throughout the year. These focus on everything from
understanding deposits and disputes to landlords’ safety. The courses are
£85 per delegate.
We also organise an annual county-wide Landlords Forum. This event is a
about what the council can do to help.
There are also Development Forums in South East Northumberland, three
times a year. The forum is a partnership between the council, private
landlords and letting agents working in the private rented sector. It helps
to promote the views of private landlords to contribute to the improvement
of the county’s housing.
For more information on the Property Accreditation Scheme and its
privatesectorhousing@northumberland.gov.uk or
phone 01670 622299. Visit www.northumberland.gov.uk/Housing/
Landlords.aspx#privaterentedsectoraccreditationscheme
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017
11

COMMUNITY LIFE
MAKING
THINGS MATTER
in Newsham
A new community project led by
Northumberland County Council is
striving to improve the lives of people
living in Newsham.
After a series of anti-social behaviour
incidents in the area, the council
carried out a door-to-door survey
main issues were, and what people
wanted to see happen in the
community.
More than 300 households
responded, with many saying they
would like to see a community
project with everyone working
together to bring back some pride
to the area.
From there tenants developed
the Newsham Community Matters
project. With funding from
NE Procurement the scheme aims
to offer tenants and residents
activities and courses to help
improve their lives for the future.
Activities and courses will run in three different venues in Newsham. IT Matters, Church of Yahweh (lead by the
Credit, help with writing CV’s, short courses, and home budgeting). Practical Matters, St Bedes Church Hall
advice) and Family Matters, The Pavilion (activities such as healthy cooking, cooking on a budget, dealing
12
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

COMMUNITY LIFE
With funding from
NE Procurement the
scheme aims to offer
tenants and residents
activities and courses
to help improve their
lives for the future.
The council will be working in
partnership with NE Procurement,
the, Police, Community Voluntary
Action Blyth Valley, Youth Forum,
Northern Learning Trust, the Army,
Northumbria Healthcare, Red Cross,
St Bedes, Church of Yahweh and
volunteers from the community to
deliver courses and activity sessions
starting on Wednesday 22 March.
We are also working with the
Community Voluntary Action Blyth
Valley (CVABV) to establish a
Community Interest Company, made
up of tenants, who can develop and
take the project forward.
Irene Willis, 72, has lived in Newsham for
more than 50 years and is fully supportive
of the project.
“I have seen a lot of changes over
the years, but recently we seem to
have lost that community pride in
the area,” she said.
“This project has so many different
elements to it that I think there is
something for everyone. Working
together, and getting the older
generation to help the younger one,
will hopefully not only improve the
community but also the lives of
people who live here.
“I would encourage everyone to go
what courses and activities could
For more information about the project contact the council’s
Resident Involvement Team on 01670 542424 or the
Newsham Community Project mobile on 075522 60613.
Or go to www.facebook.com/newshamcommunitymatters
Save the date
Come along to a
family fun day to launch
Newsham Community
Matters on March 18th
at The Pavillion from
10am to 2pm
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017
13

HOME ADVICE
Do you have a solid fuel appliance in your
home? Then we have some advice on how
to look after it and what fuel to burn.
There are a number of threats to
your appliance which can not only
cause large repair bills for the
council, but also can pose as a
danger to your home.
Northumberland County Council is
responsible for servicing your appliance
twice a year, this includes sweeping
the chimney and cleaning and
repairing any parts, such as grates
However, we have seen an increase
in repair work as some tenants choose
the wrong type of fuel to burn.
SO HERE ARE SOME DO’S AND DON’TS
DON’T
• Burn “Green wood”.
Wood is wood,
right? Wrong, Your
solid fuel appliance
is only as good
as the fuel you
burn on it.
• This is wood which has not been dried, or seasoned. Unseasoned or
green wood, still has the sap inside. Once the wood starts to burn the
sap evaporates inside the chimney, the smoke cools and the sap turns
into tar. This sticks to inside of the chimney and could result in a
•
would need to be replaced, costing the council £1,500 each time,
to reline the chimney using a specialist chimney contractor
• Green wood also gives off less heat, so will end up costing you
more as you will need to burn more to keep warm.
DO
• Buy your logs from a responsible supplier.
• These should be logs that are already seasoned and ready to burn.
• Wood should be stored under a cover to protect it from rain, but with
stored for a year and for a hardwood trees, such as oak, up to two years.
• If you are unsure ask the supplier who can advise you on the best type
of wood to burn and how to store it correctly.
For more information call our Repairs and Maintenance team on 01670 542424
14
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

HOME ADVICE
Tenants invited
TO EXHIBITION
DON’T
•
Otherwise known as
Pet Coke, this cheaper
alternative to coal or
coke, burns uncontrollably
and at an intense heat.
It can burn through your
front of your stove to crack
and crack the chimney.
DO
• Source your coal or coke from
a reputable, registered coal
merchant, who can advise you
on the best fuel to burn.
Tenants were invited to a special
exhibition to showcase the next
phase of the council’s £31million
Capital Works programme.
This programme will include kitchen
and bathroom replacements,
electrical rewires, new heating
systems, replacement roof coverings
and windows and doors.
Tenants whose homes are in line for
improvements this year were invited
to an exhibition at Blyth’s Civic Centre.
They were able to view the choices on
offer to them, ranging from bathroom
suites and tiles to new front doors
and kitchen units.
They were also given an idea of the date
when work will start in their homes.
DID YOU KNOW...
If you need help
moving furniture, or
preparing your house
for work, our housing
Handyman can do this
free of charge. Call
01670 542424
for more details
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017
15

RESIDENTS’ FESTIVAL
NORTHUMBERLAND
Residents’ Festival
OUR PEOPLE, OUR PLACES
Attractions across the
county will be opening
their doors to residents to
encourage you to explore
what’s on your doorstep.
© National Trust
take it along to your chosen attraction, with proof of residence, such as a
driving licence, utility bill or bank statement.
nearest library or information centre or go to www.activenorthumberland.
org.uk/northumberland-festivals-and-events
Here’s some highlights:
Seaton Delaval Hall
2 for 1 admission into
this National Trust
property where you can
explore the drama of
the central hall as well
as the wide open spaces
in the surrounding landscapes,
gardens and woodlands.
2
for 1
admission
Woodhorn Museum
2 for 1 admission
to Brick Dino
exhibition, and
come face-to-face
with dinosaurs
built entirely from
LEGO ® bricks.
2
for 1
admission
Blyth Battery
FREE
entry
Explore this important
WW1 and WW2 defence battery for
free all weekend. The only WW1
battery observation post left in the
world. There will be children’s
activities as well as guided tours.
CUT OUT YOUR VOUCHER HERE
Please be aware that you must bring proof of residence when presenting
this voucher. A driving licence, utility bill or bank statement will all be
accepted. To save time, please complete the voucher before arrival
at the venue.
16
Name:
Address:
Email:
The above information may be used by the attractions for marketing purposes,
should you not wish to be contacted, please tick this box.
YOUR NEWS Winter 2016
Newbiggin
Maritime Centre
50%
50% entry into the
heritage and art
exhibitions at the
centre. There will be a host
of special Residents’ Festival
activities throughout the weekend.
entry

A small bowl of sugary cereal
YOUR HEALTH
Get your kids day yoff
to a healthy start
As the saying ggoes “Breakfast is the
most important meal of the day ” but
did you know that some children are
having twice the daily recommended
amount of sugar before the morning
school bell?
According to research by Public
Health England some children in
England consume more than 11g
of sugar at breakfast time alone,
that’s almost 3 sugar cubes. The
recommended daily maximum is no
more than 5 cubes of sugar for 4 to
6 year olds and no more than 6
cubes for 7 to 10 year olds per day.
By the end of the day children have
consumed more than 3 times these
recommendations.
The research also found that of
those parents of children who were
eating 3 sugar cubes at breakfast,
84% of them considered the
breakfast they were giving their
children as healthy.
Public Health ’ s Top
Breakfast tips are:
Add fruit:
Drink lower-fat milk
Have wholegrain toast
Master porridge oats
Bagels
Swap sugary drinks for alternatives
So here’s some stats
which may surprise you,
along with some tasty
healthy options that
your kids will love in
the morning.
Chocolate spread on toast
A glass of fruit juice
www.nhs.uk/change4life-beta/be-food-smart
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017
17

GET INVOLVED
TENANT FORUM
update
LEASEHOLDERS
Did you
know?
Our tenant forum continues to lead the way
with the development of a bespoke tenant
engagement system called ThinkChange.
To help improve tenant engagement, and receive feedback on what is
important to tenants and residents, the forum is working on an innovative
tenant engagement system in place.
The system would allow tenants to
suggest ideas on how to improve the
housing service they receive as well
as commenting on current initiatives
and projects.
Each tenant would be offered the
opportunity to sign up to the system
and would be given a personal login
which could be accessed from any
computer or mobile device.
Karen Bailey,
chair of the Tenants Forum
“We are always looking at new
ways of communicating with
tenants and gaining their views
on the housing service they receive.
and once again demonstrates
how tenants in this area are
leading the way on engagement
and involvement.”
on particular areas of the housing
take the views of tenants direct to
the council for further discussion.
across the North as well as hearing presentations from a number of guest
speakers from other housing organisations.
Did you know that
as a leaseholder you
have a number of
responsibilities you
must carry out to
protect your lease.
owns the land and the building that
your home is in and is the freeholder
of your building. We are required to
maintain the exterior of the building
and any common areas.
However, you must pay towards this
cost and will be charged for any
work carried out to the structure or
communal areas of your building.
Here is a list of some of your other
responsibilities:
•
It is a priority debt and failure to
do so could result in the loss of
your home.
• If you are struggling to pay the
service charge the council can
help by arranging a payment plan.
•
in your service charge
•
Safety Inspection - the council can
arrange for this work to be carried
out for a one off annual payment
of £45 + vat
•
your property as this could
invalidate your building insurance.
Marie Bradley is your dedicated
available on 01670 622906.
18
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

GET INVOLVED
ADD YOUR VIEWS
Over the next few months members of our Customer
Service Development Group will be contacting tenants
to get their views on the Customer Contact Centre.
They will be making phonecalls to
more than 800 tenants to gauge
customer satisfaction in relation to
calls made to the contact centre.
So if you receive one of these calls
make sure you give your feedback
as it can help shape the way the
service is delivered in the future.
Results of the survey will be collated
report outlining the full results later
in the year.
Tenants are advised that any members
involved in the survey will be signing
a Data Protection Declaration and
no personal details will
be included in any results.
Remember if you do wish to speak
to a member of the team, as well
as calling 01670 542424, you can
also drop into one of our Information
Centres around the county.
SEE BELOW FOR THE LIST OF CENTRES
You can visit us Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm
(excluding bank holidays)
Alnwick
Greenwell Lane, Alnwick
Ashington
Wansbeck Square, Ashington
Bedlington
Within Bedlington library,
Glebe Road, Bedlington
Berwick
Walkergate Building, Walkergate
Please note: Alnwick Information Centres
closes at 4:30pm, Bedlington has changed.
Blyth
Blyth Library, Bridge Street, Blyth
Cramlington
Concordia, Cramlington
Hexham
Hadrian House,
Market Street, Hexham
Morpeth
Royal Sovereign House,
Manchester Street, Morpeth
Seaton Delaval
Library, Astley High School,
Elsdon Avenue
AT ANY OF OUR CUSTOMER INFORMATION
CENTRES YOU CAN:
get advice and information regarding any
of our services anywhere in the county
arrange delivery of any council service
anywhere in the county
make a payment for council services
submit applications along with supporting
documentation or evidence
get assistance and advice in completing
application forms
If your request can not be dealt with
immediately, we will ensure the appropriate
person or department will contact you.
MAKING A PAYMENT:
For extra convenience, you can also make
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017
19

LEISURE
Boost for BLYTH
DURING TALL SHIPS
Nearly half a million people
flocked to Blyth last summer for
the North Sea Tall Ships Regatta.
500,000 VISITORS
8/10 VISITORS WOULD
RETURN TO THE AREA
ECONOMY BOOST
OF £13.5M
The four day
event saw people
spending money in both
Blyth and across the
wider county, boosting
Northumberland’s
economy by a
staggering
£13.5million
The four day event saw people
spending money in both Blyth and
across the wider county, boosting
Northumberland’s economy by a
staggering £13.5million.
Spending on eating out,
accommodation and other tourism
and leisure services far exceeded
initial targets and has demonstrated
the huge value to the county.
The economic impact has been
which also shows that there was
an extremely high satisfaction rate
from visitors to the event.
A remarkable 99% of those
attending the regatta described it
as ‘very good’ or ‘good’ - while more
than eight out of ten visitors from
other parts of the UK said they
would be more likely to return to
the area, and spend, as a result.
from holding the Tall Ships event in
Northumberland have far exceeded
our initial expectations. This world
class event produced a huge
economic impact for the county as
a whole, and particularly so in Blyth
and surrounding areas.
the importance of bringing high
and memories however - it also
gave opportunities for volunteers
and trainees to become involved in
learning and in gaining life skills of
Blyth will once again host the
Northumberland Live festival this
year, which attracts 10,000 number
of people to the area.
20
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

NOTICEBOARD
24 June 2017
BLYTH
[Blyth Beach NE24 3PL]
ON SITE PARKING
www.blythtowncouncil.org.uk
NorthumberlandLiveFestival
The Undertones
Plus many more*
29 July 2017
BEDLINGTON
[Gallagher Park NE22 7LA]
NO ON SITE PARKING
NorthumberlandliveBedlington16
The Commitments
Plus many more*
Northumberland Day
Sunday 28th May
Show your love for
the place you live by
celebrating the first ever
Northumberland Day.
Why not organise a street
party, or a special event or
or decorate your house in
the county’s traditional
colours of red and yellow.
***** FREE Family Festivals *****
LIVE L MUSIC S / STREET S T THEATRE A / FUN FAIRS
F A FOOD AT AFFORDABLE A FO
L PRICES R OR BRING R A PICNIC
HAVE-A-GO A ACTIVITIES FOR F R ALL L THE FAMILY (MOSTLY S FREE)
For more information about the event please email northumberlandlive@gmail.com or for more
information regarding public transport please visit http://jplanner.travelinenortheast.info/
* Both headline acts are supported by a wide range of bands which are suitable for a family audience
Watch this space
Northumberland’s Homefinder
will be re-launched at the end
of March.
The new look website will be
more user friendly using the most
up-to-date technology to help you
choose your future home.
EASTER DATES
Good Friday 14 April
Easter Monday 17 April
Early May
Bank Holiday 1 May
Spring Bank
Holiday 29 May
FOLLOW US ON Simply search Homes for Northumberland and click to like our page @HomesforN_land

PERFORMANCE
HOW ARE WE
performing?
We aim to be the best we can
possibly be and offer the best service
we possibly can to our tenants. This
is why we are constantly monitoring
our performance and measuring our
work against a set of performance
indicators.
Performance Indicators are targets used to
and provide important information on the key
services we provide.
Our performance indicators have been agreed
by tenants.
Our latest figures show how we were
performing between April and December 2016.
NUMBER OF EMERGENCY
CURRENT RENT ARREARS AVERAGE NUMBER
100% 99.93% completed 5 * NUMBER OF REPAIRS FIXED
6,816
FIRST TIME
OF DAYS TO RE-LET
A PROPERTY
REPAIRS COMPLETED
WITHIN 24HRS
Target
£517,011
Actual
£612,763
Target
30 Days
Actual
31.5 Days
Target
as a %
99.20%
Total
number
Actual
96.69%
Total
completed
NUMBER OF GAS SERVICING CERTIFICATES COMPLETED
of repairs within 24hrs
8,608 8,323
Target Mid-year Number of Number
as a % point outstanding
completed, giving a 100% completion rate
Target
as a %
98%
Actual
96.84%
NUMBER OF SOLID FUEL CERTIFICATES COMPLETED
Target
as a %
100%
Actual
100%
Number
requested
176
Number
completed
176
Total
number
of repairs
28,677
Total
completed
27,772
*Many of the repairs requiring a second visit
were due to a tradesman needing to order in
materials to complete the job
22
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017

HOUSING OFFICERS
YOUR HOUSING MANAGEMENT TEAM
Your Housing Management Team is here to help with questions on a range of housing
services including, rent, estate management or your tenancy. We have a dedicated
Housing Officer for each estate. Find out who your officer is and contact them on
01670 542424.
Philip Soderquest
Susan Ogle
Philippa Storey
Christine McGregor
Pearl O’Hare
Sarah Thorpe
Head of Housing
Head of Housing
Management
Area Housing
Manager
Blyth North and
Alnwick Area
YOUR HOUSING OFFICER
ALNWICK OFFICERS
Area Housing
Manager
Blyth South
Team Leader
Blyth North
and Alnwick Area
Team Leader
Blyth South
Simon Crosthwaite
Simon covers:
Alnmouth, Boulmer,
Craster, Embleton,
Elsdon, Felton,
Glanton, Harbottle,
Longframlington,
Longhoughton,
Netherton, Newton
by the Sea, Powburn,
Rothbury, Thropton,
Whittingham
Hannah Brewis
Hannah covers:
All Amble estates,
Hauxley
Andrew Howstan
Andrew covers:
Alnwick
BLYTH OFFICERS
Shaun McGonnell
Shaun covers:
The Poet’s Estate,
Seaton Sluice,
New Hartley,
Allendale, Haltwhistle
Lee Danskin
Lee covers:
Collingwood Grange,
Estate Flats
Graeme Harwood
Graeme covers:
Cowpen estate
Imran Ahmed
Imran covers:
The Avenues,
Solingen
Blyth Town Centre
Joanne Walker
Joanne covers:
East Hartford,
Grange, Cramlington
Cramlington
Allensgreen/Allerhope
Dawn Wright
Dawn covers:
Newsham and
New Delaval
Debbie Halford
Debbie covers:
North Farm, Bebside,
Cowpen Farm,
Hodgsons Road,
Cowpen Quay
Kevin Bradley
Kevin covers:
Seaton Delaval
and Seghill
Jeff Baker
Jeff covers:
Seaton Delaval
and Seghill
YOUR NEWS Spring 2017
23

FOLLOW
US ON
for latest news & advice
Why not follow us on Facebook and keep
up to date with the latest news and advice
about your home and the services we provide.
If you have a Facebook
account, simply search
Homes for Northumberland
and click to like our page.
KEEP IN TOUCH
CONTACT US
For queries about your council property,
repairs, rents and neighbourhood
services ring 01670 542424.
For questions about any other
Northumberland County Council
or refuse collection ring
0345 600 6400.
SAVE TIME AND
DO IT ONLINE
If you want to report a problem, apply
for services or pay bills it is cheaper,
faster and easier to do it online. Simply
visit www.northumberland.gov.uk
and complete your task from the
comfort of your own home.
CUSTOMER
INFORMATION CENTRES
You can call in at any Northumberland
County Council customer information
centre and speak to one of our
friendly advisors about any housing
or council related issue.